Quinn Ewers injury update: Arch Manning takes over for Texas after Longhorns QB sidelined with abdomen strain

David Suggs

•
Quinn Ewers injury update: Arch Manning takes over for Texas after Longhorns QB sidelined with abdomen strain image

Quinn Ewers has been one of college football's hottest quarterbacks thus far, emerging as both a Heisman frontrunner and top-five pick one dart at a time.

The Texas star was replaced by Arch Mannning during the Longhorns' clash with UTSA on Saturday, however. Instead of fielding snaps and whipping efforts across the green as he's gotten used to over the years, Ewers was forced to the sidelines and, eventually, the locker room, appearing to have suffered some sort of lower body injury early in the second quarter.

MORE: Latest stats, highlights as Arch Manning replaces Quinn Ewers in Texas-UTSA clash

Here's what you need to know.

Quinn Ewers injury update

Ewers was ruled out of the Sept. 14 contest against UTSA after suffering an injury about three minutes into the second quarter. The Texas star fell to the turf after handing the ball off to tailback Quintrevion Wisner. One play earlier, he appeared to have tweaked something while attempting a pass to tight end Gunnar Helm, trotting up the field awkwardly as he made his way back to the huddle.

He wasn't touched on the subsequent Wisner handoff. However, he appeared to be in a bad way, staying on the canvas for some time as Texas' medical personnel tended to him. He eventually made his way to the sideline, limping off the field on his own accord.

The Longhorns didn't initially rule Ewers out. However, he was pictured standing on the sideline in street clothes, an indication that he would miss out on the remainder of the game.

While standing on the sideline, it appeared as if Ewers was gesturing towards his midsection as the area where the injury occurred. In a halftime interview with ESPN, head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed that Ewers was suffering from an abdominal strain.

How long is Quinn Ewers out?

Ewers' ab injury "isn't as serious as initially feared," per ESPN's Pete Thamel. He has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain.

Ewers missed Texas' game against Louisiana Monroe, giving Manning his first career college start. Now, Ewers is listed as questionable for this upcoming week's game against Mississippi State. 

The term "abdominal strain" is fairly vague, as there's a litany of different muscles that call the abdomen home.

According to Dr. Jesse Morse, a Miami-based M.D. who specializes in sports medicine — Ewers' injury, likely an oblique or abdominal recess strain based on the area of his midsection he was gesturing towards, could keep him out of action from 1-4 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury itself.

That likely won't be confirmed until additional tests are performed. But it could provide a timetable for when Ewers could return to the field safely.

Arch Manning takes over for Texas

Ewers was briefly taken into the blue medical tent before being sent to the locker room. He was supplanted by highly-touted hurler Arch Manning, who proceeded to throw a touchdown on the very next play.

He added a 67-yard touchdown scamper two plays after that.

Arch Manning family tree

Arch Manning father: Cooper Manning

Manning comes from the preeminent football family. He's the son of Cooper Manning and Ellen Heidingsfelder, with his father, Cooper, earning distinction for his high school football skills. The eldest Manning brother eventually committing to play for Ole Miss as a receiver. In the summer leading up to his freshman season, however, Cooper experienced numbness in his fingers and toes; he was subsequently diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which resulted in an immediate end to his playing career.

Arch Manning uncle: Peyton and Eli Manning

You may know Arch's uncles or grandfather, too. Arch Manning is the nephew of Super Bowl-winning QBs Peyton and Eli Manning.

Much like his uncles, Arch Manning also garnered plenty of praise as a youngster, earning the distinction as the No. 1 overall player in his recruiting class, 247Sports' Composite rankings.. He'll look to mimic his uncles in another way, too; Arch is expected to compete for the first overall pick when he becomes draft eligible in 2026.

Arch Manning grandfather: Archie Manning

If Arch Manning were to fall to second-overall come the 2026 NFL Draft, he wouldn't be alone. He'd simply be joining another Manning; his grandfather, Archie, who was taken second overall by the Saints in 1971 and racked up two Pro Bowls during his 14-year career.

Arch Manning year

Manning is a redshirt freshman. He appeared in two games during his first season on campus, completing two of his five pass attempts for 30 yards for the Longhorns.

NCAA rules state that a program can designate a player for a redshirt as long as they play no more than four games in a single season. As such, Manning will be eligible to play for Texas — or whomever else he desires to suit up for — up until 2028.

Arch Manning age

Manning is 19 years old, having been born on April 27, 2005.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.